_Life of Brian_'s People's Front of Judea -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 08:46:28 05/04/08 Sun
Author: Janelle
Subject: _Life of Brian_'s People's Front of Judea

Power struggles within organizations are often caused by mimetic rivalry and can lead to the organization splitting into splinter factions. Although the organizations remain virtually indistinguishable from each other to those viewing them from outside, to the members inside they don't see the similarities and can easily become furious if such questions are raised. In "The Life of Brian" Brian approaches an organization who are against the Romans and, hoping to make a good impression, asks them if they are the Judean People's Front. Reg, the leader of the group, freaks out and in an offended tone says "We're the People's Front of Judea!" Brian then asks if he can join the group (No!) and says that he really hates the Romans. For the P.F.J. that is enough qualification to join, but Reg wants to make something absolutely clear:
Reg: "The only people we hate more than the Romans are the Judean People's Front!"
Francis: "And the Judean Popular People's Front!
Stan/Loretta: "And the People's Front of Judea!!"
Reg: "What?"
Stan/Loretta: "The People's Front of Judea! Splitters!"
Reg: "*WE'RE* the People's Front of Judea!"
Stan/Loretta: "Oh...I thought we were the Popular Front."
Reg: "*People's* Front!!"

It's fantastic because all of the groups' objectives are exactly the same, but because of their mimetic rivalries they can't stand each other and actually hate each other more than the Romans! Monty Python does it again...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb_qHP7VaZE

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